Hayley Palmer has spoken candidly about the sudden end of her relationship with The Chase star Mark Labbett, revealing that she suffered panic attacks and severe anxiety after the breakup. The couple, who had been together for a year, appeared on Loose Women just days before the split, publicly celebrating their anniversary. However, Palmer says the relationship ended abruptly with a phone call from Labbett, who cited their 16-year age gap and the distance between his home in Rotherham and her base in London as reasons.
Palmer described the shock as so intense that she experienced a panic attack on the spot. 'I lost all control of my body,' she said. In the weeks that followed, she struggled with low self-worth, nightmares, and flashbacks. She recalled walking around for three hours after the call, unable to get on the Tube to meet a friend. 'I was making it through the day, putting on a good show, but underneath just totally crumbling,' she added.
The TV presenter sought help after a counsellor reached out to her, diagnosing her with 'betrayal trauma', a form of PTSD. The counsellor helped her understand her symptoms, including anxiety, sweating, and nightmares. Palmer credits the therapy with aiding her recovery, saying the counsellor reassured her that her reactions were normal given the shock.
Palmer announced the split on Instagram Stories, stating they had the 'best year together' but that they had parted ways. She has since focused on rebuilding her life, though she admits the experience hit her harder than she ever expected.
